Almost There

Crew spent a large part of the morning continuing the cleanup from Wednesday and Thursdays storms. We've made great progress but still have some cleanup as well as drying out to do.
The latest storm was one of the biggest I've seen in my career at BCC. In 2011 we had one comparable. What I take from this latest event is that the after effects such as bunker condition and greens condition to be much better. The club made decisions in trying to combat severe weather. This was done by installing XGD in the greens as well as replacing drainage and sand in the bunkers. In previous years the greens wouldn't have been mowed for probably 3 days following, the bunkers would have taken upwards to a week to reclaim plus drain. I'm happy to report all bunkers are free of water except 1 on 16 which is the result of a plugged tile outside and down the way. Bunker washouts were present but not to the magnitude of before, a crew of 4 guys have gone throughout the course and are 80% finished with reclaiming them. Previous years we'd of had 12 guys out pumping water and pushing sand for 4-5 days. Lastly the ability to mow greens, we could have mowed yesterday if we had liked but waited to today and they are tremendous.
I greatly appreciate your ability to support our department and the necessary changes we felt needed done. I think we can all see the positive change in the conditions of BCC especially after such events like we just experienced. Now lets get some adequate weather so we can play some golf!

April Showers

Over the past few weeks we've been piling up the moisture. In all since Tuesday, April 9th to now we've accumulated just under 7". We've been lucky considering the totals that some areas received over the 24 hour period from this past Wednesday to Thursday. During that period we took on 4" and it created a bit of a mess. Rising pond levels, surfaces drainage, and bunker washouts have created quite the tasks for us these next few days.
The course will remain closed today as we begin our cleanup efforts. We've placed our focus on the front 9 today so we can open for walking play there tomorrow and then all 18 by Sunday as we'll focus cleanup efforts through the back 9 tomorrow.
Unfortunate that this spring just continues to produce horrible weather. We were excited to get the course opened when we did, now Mother Nature isn't doing her part. Thanks for your patience and look forward to seeing you out here!

The Time has Come

And so it is here.  For awhile I felt like we were way behind, so did the golfing population.  A great deal of people felt that this was a very late start for us, but as I look back we are about right on track.  Normally, well whatever that means anymore, we usually get the course open early to mid-April.  Last season I think threw us all off track by how warm it was so early in March.
Anyway, we are excited to get the 2013 season going.  The crew has slowing started to file in and we have been very busy.  A great deal of cleanup has gone on over the last few weeks and yesterday we began to mow.  The first mowing of the season is always an exciting one.  To watch the burnt tips of grass be removed and see the green underneath creates the renew feeling, a rejuvenation.  We still have a good ways to go before we have everything complete from wrapping up cleanup as well as projects that were started but not finished last fall.  The month of April will continue to be a busy one for us but come early May we will have the course in the finest conditions possible.
As for now the golf course is open as of tomorrow.  No carts will be allowed yet but come out enjoy some fresh air and we'll try to accommodate the use of carts as soon as possible.  Please fix your ball marks on the greens as the turf is still currently dormant and this will only help speed up the recovery process once the turf becomes active. 

Kaylor inspecting the first cut to the Approaches in the 2013 season.  She gives it a passing grade.

Jorge putting the first cut on 1 green.  Here you can see how this cut cleans off the burt leaf tips from winter.

Another shot of 1 green as Jorge mows it.

8 green 2/3rds of the way cut, notice the difference in color.  The dark area still needs mowed.

Kaylor's first cart ride, she behave beautifully.  She's really been enjoying the warmer air and the ability to run the golf course throughout the day.

Refugio using one of the new fairway mowers to put on the first cut.  We were just in the process of making sure settings were right before we dived right in.  We'll finish mowing fairways between today and tomorrow.

It's Only Just Begun

Seems as though we are just a few days away from the 2013 season. This week proved to see trending temperatures in the direction the get things ready. Extended forecast shows a quick cool down early next week but will rebound by mid week.
This week allowed us to make some great progress in cleanup. Yesterday, by far was the most productive with everyone outside. Native areas succumbed to fire while debris from the rough started to get picked up. We look forward to another productive day today but patiently wait for frost to burn off. Have to be a little more careful now in the morning with frozen turf.
Things look promising next week for getting practice facilities open and possibly the golf course. Any range usage will be off the mats and if the course is opened it will be walking only for a little while longer. It's only just begun, we are looking very forward to this season!

Preliminary Stages

The somewhat mild temperatures have brought us into our preliminary stages of course preparation. Each spring presents it own set of challenges, no matter how routine our duties are something usually complicates them. This year has been the sole fact of a late start. On average we are about 2 weeks behind, normally we start getting cleanup crews together mid March but this season we didn't get started till Monday the 25th.
Normal cleanup tasks are in full swing along with a few others. Raking up debris in the rough along with cleaning debris off surfaces like greens, approaches, and tees was our first direction of attack. Guys are moving through efficiently, should be wrapped up this week.
A nice slow snow melt and no rain is helping things stay somewhat firm. Today we placed some heavier machinery out on the course and started to clean up stump holes from trees which were removed. This will be a task that will take us a little but longer, more than likely we are hoping to have all cleaned up by next week, we will then prep them for sod when it's available.
As each day goes by we get a little more excited but know we have a ways to go. We're taking advantage of each minute possible out on the course. Stay tuned as we keep pushing forward.

A Face Lift

So as the clubhouse gets a face lift we continue that trend in the maintenance facility. This cool damp weather has placed us back inside so we have taken that time to reassess our facilities and what we can do to clean, organize, and become more efficient. With our recent equipment deal we have free'd up some quality square footage allowing to organize better throughout the building.
One thing we never really had was a dedicated shop, a place where equipment was repaired or inspected. Junior as well as Moe have always maintained the fleet in the storage area where light is scarce and conditions aren't the most ideal to be getting under equipment. We've changed that, this past week the guys have put a great deal of work into developing a mechanics area. Where to begin? The floor. The previous floor consist of concrete covered with basic paint. Over the years that paint had chipped off, oil had been spilled, all in all the floor needed attention to harbor the concept of a mechanics area. The floor was completely ground down to strip all paint, acid brushed to clean, pressure washed to clean acid up and more dirt and grime, cracks filled, and lastly epoxy coating painted on. The key to the epoxy is the smooth surface which oils, etc... Can be cleaned up easily.
This type of shop development has been in the works since my arrival at BCC. I'm always scouting ways to make our operation better; cleaner, more efficient, and comfortable. Few years back we painted walls white to brighten things up, that was the start. In all things are developing nicely and the guys have done a tremendous job! Here are photos of the work being done on the floor:

The Itch

As I sit here at home watching Tiger take on the Blue Monster I notice I'm beginning to get that itch. Not so much the itch to play golf but for the brown turf to turn green and the smell of fresh cut grass. How much longer?
Last year we were full speed ahead at this time which was great as it helped get our new greens pushed along. This year though it looks to be quite the opposite. Over the weekend rains have helped dissipate the snow accumulation but make for a bit of a wet mess.
Our crew is beginning to take form as guys start calling to see when they can come back. Unfortunately, I have to tell most of them to be patient as the weather will have us on hold for the time being. I'm sure here in a few weeks we'll bring in a small crew to begin the annual raking of debris from under trees and throughout the course. As we proceed through the spring I'll keep you updated here with the blog but also through informative emails and notifications on Foretees regarding course conditions and happenings. Please be patient and soon we'll be in the 2013 season at Briarwood.